Indian cricket team captain Virat Kohli’s repeated complains to umpire Michael Gough about the ball being affected by a damp outfield led to his fine.

Indian captain Virat Kohli was reprimanded by the ICC’s match officials and received one demerit point for breaching Level 1 of the code of conduct during third day’s play of second Test match between India and South Africa on Monday.

Kohli has also been fined 25 per cent of his match fee. The Indian captain was found to have breached Article 2.1.1 of the ICC Code of Conduct for Players and Player Support Personnel, which relates to “conduct that is contrary to the spirit of the game.”

After the day’s play, Kohli pleaded guilty to the offence and accepted the sanction proposed by Chris Broad of the Emirates Elite Panel of ICC Match Referees and, as such, there was no need for a formal hearing.

Monday’s incident happened in the 25th over of South Africa’s second innings when Kohli continued to complain to umpire Michael Gough about the ball being affected by a damp outfield following a rain delay, before throwing the ball into the ground in an aggressive manner.

BREAKING: Virat Kohli has been fined for breaching the ICC Code of Conduct.

“After the day’s play, Kohli pleaded guilty to the offence and accepted the sanction proposed by Chris Broad of the Elite Panel of ICC Match Referees and, as such, there was no need for a formal hearing.”

“Virat is very competitive. They are over here to compete and they’ve got a team that could potentially beat South frica for the first time here. That’s his nature. It gets him going and keeps him going. We’re well aware of that but we don’t take any notice of it,” said Morkel after the end of day’s play on Monday.